Several trucks flipped over on SoCal highways amid fierce wind event

A severe wind event in Southern California caused several big rigs to overturn on Inland Empire highways on Monday. 

Two trucks flipped over at the interchange of southbound Interstate 15 and eastbound Interstate 10 in Ontario, Calif., Rodrigo Jimenez, a spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol, told SFGATE. Later in the afternoon, at least three trailers flipped over in the unincorporated city of Fontana area, he added. 

Elsewhere, two trucks flipped over at the interchange of the eastbound Interstate 15 and northbound Highway 60 near Eastvale and Jurupa Valley, Javier Navarro, a CHP spokesperson, told SFGATE. He said the area is higher up in elevation and most of the wind-related traffic issues occur there. 

“Even the smaller cars get thrown around,” Navarro said. 

The powerful winds started this morning throughout Southern California, with the strongest gusts occurring in the Santa Ana Mountains, Stefanie Sullivan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told SFGATE. The highest gusts were recorded at Santiago Peak at 82 mph, Sullivan said.

A high-wind warning was issued by the NWS on Monday, which was in effect until Tuesday at 10 a.m. but has now been extended to Tuesday at 2 p.m. 

Sullivan said wind gusts were at about 41 to 51 mph at the time of the Ontario trucks flipping over, and at about 49 mph near Jurupa Valley when the other trucks toppled over. 

CHP said big rigs tend to flip over during high-wind events, especially when returning from deliveries without cargo making them lighter. Jiminez said this isn’t a rare occurrence and it also applies to other high-profile vehicles and lifted trucks. 

CHP officers said they advise drivers with high-profile vehicles to avoid the roads during powerful winds if possible and pull over and wait until it’s safe. 

The fierce winds only slightly affected air travel, with only a few disruptions at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, which is closest to the strongest winds in Santa Ana. A spokesperson for the airport told SFGATE that there were approximately 16 delayed flights and that 10 diverted flights due to other weather-related issues.

People flying in and out of John Wayne Airport should check the airport’s website for current arrival and departure information.